Where have I been??

Ok I know it has been forever since I posted. Since we have returned from Ohio it has been a whirlwind two weeks. We had a great time in Ohio. The kids loved the the little kidde amusement park we went to . Camping was a total hit! We are considering buying a camper. And the kids were decent at the wedding! Yeah a success! Work has been crazy and now we are trying to fit in ever dr appt imaginable. Dentist, Eye checks, blood draws , ear checks . I tell you I hat drs offices! Oh well at least they will all be done! The biggest news on the home front is Emily has to get glasses. I had a feeling and that is why I took her in. When the picture popped up and she reported she could not see it my thoughts were confirmed. So we picked out the cutest little purple glasses with flowers! I hope it goes well. She gets them next week and I will post some pics. oh and we scheduled our Disney trip I am so excited. Jan20-29 2010. Watch out Mickey here we come! Ok enough updates have to get to work!

Weekend Update

Weekend Update. Ahh Saturday NIght Live. I don't think I have watched that since about 2005. Hmm coincides with the birth of the two kiddos.Funny how life changes. Oh well. I enjoy Scooby Doo and Dora so much now adult humor does not have a place in my life right now. Ok now my weekend update.

Friday Hubby had a "boy date" He went and saw the new GI Joe movie with some guy friends. The kids and I spent the evening with my parents heading to Muskegon to purchase some material for their new sandbox. Pictures coming as soon as we decide to fill it with sand. Let's just say a HUGE improvement over Franklin the Plastic turtle sandbox. We also found a few other things I "needed". Nice evening the kids were good and we had a nice time. Saturday we went to Pentwater to pick up a few birthday gifts. I tell you all of my friends must have a birthday in August! Sunday it was hot! We headed to my parents pool and spent most of the afternoon in it. The kids swam and played I tried to get a little sun. Throw in some ice cream and Papa Johns pizza it was a perfect day. Hubby came by later in the day after he went and played war. Next up is Golf on Tuesday, and packing for our trip to Ohio which includes our first family camping trip. Thank you Bill and Alicia for letting us use their camper. I am sure stories and photos will be abundant next week!

Sand and Surf

The last two nights have been perfect to visit the beach. We live just 5-10 mins from the a couple of great beaches on Lake MI. While Hubby is exercising I pack the kiddos up and have taken to the beach by myself. They love it. I dont enjoy the sand everywhere but I feel that we live so close I should let the kids expereince the fun of the beach. So the lst two evenings have been perfect. The middle of the week so that means I can find a parking place, not a crazy busy, no breeze ( very important) and the temp is warm enough to play in the water. So the kiddos and I have enjoyed the beach the last two days. The first I made the mistake of not dressing them in swim suits... The result very wet and sandy clothes and kids riding home in just underwear. The second night I got smart and put swimsuits on them. They had a ball! We played in the channel which is about 10 degrees warmer than the lake then moved to the "big lake" where Zach got bowled over by waves and Em was screeching literally screeching with excitment! We had a ball. The kids loved it. We played for about an hour and half then back to the car so that we can take a bath. How do kids get sand every where? I mean everywhere! Oh well here are some pics from our first evening.

Different Philosphies

I understand that all people have different philosophies when it comes to parenting. I guess I just assumed we were pretty middle of the road and I guess normal. This weekend I became acutely aware that my kids eating hot dogs twice a week is not normal in some households. We had a cook out with some of Daves family. His cousins came from Detroit and Colorado. The one family has a little boy who is two perfect age for Em and Zach to play with. I am proud to report that we had no meltdown over sharing. I think we are making progress. But what i was just amazed with is the little boy and his mom eat a totally whole food diet. All I could think of is oh my that must take up a lot of time to plan, and remember to pack what ever you are going to eat. That is a lot of work. I give people credit who can do this. I know it does not fit into my lifestyle or my kids lifestyle. I guess the idea is what you dont know you dont miss. The crack up of the night was when Emily saw a cookie he was eating she tried one and just about gagged. Guess Emily is not a candidate for the whole food diet. The kids had a great time playing and the adults had a nice time visiting and catching up! The weekends of the summer are quickly flying by. Only a few more weekends then it is time for School. Hard to believe!

Where has the week/month gone?

Wow! This week officially flew by. I honestly don't know where the days went. last time I checked it was Monday. Oh well . Here is a quick update on our lives or as they say on tv - "And these are the days of our lives" I loved that show in college :) OK
Monday- I caught up from the weekend not to exciting I think we actually spent the evening playing outside.

Tuesday- Golf and Zach's hair cut. I am pleased to announce that this hair cut was 100% better than the last. I did not have to physically restrain him. That always makes for a good afternoon. He also was sweet enough to pick Emily a sucker out of the bin and save it for her when we got home. What a sweet brother! Golf well lets say we played and I managed to find about three trees. Not a good night.

Wednesday - I was up early and to Big Rapids for a meeting. but home early. When I arrived it was eerily quiet no one was home. I took advantage and quick started dinner before the kiddos arrived home with the sitter. I honestly did not know what to do without kids screaming at me as I cut up chicken. Emily, my mom and myself made a quick trip to Muskegon to pick up some supplies so that I can make record place mats yes place mats. They are for a ladies golf outing on Tuesday. I only have to cut out about 65 records. Oh and I got some great deals at Penney's for the kids and myself. I love end of summer sales. Who can say no to a skirt for 7.00 or a shirt for the kiddos for 2.50.

Thursday- I cut records, I cut records, I cut records. The neighborhood kids came by to play for awhile. Entertainment for the kids.

Friday- I have no idea what tonight will bring. Possibly the county fair or a return trip to Muskegon to return something or swimming if the weather holds out. We will wait and see.

Weekend. we are hosting a cook out on Sunday at our house with Hubby's family. My parents are also invited. I hope it is nice to get some sun. Otherwise have a great weekend.

And to my friend at A Happy Little Family - Happy Birthday!

Golf, 5K and and other Weekend highlights

Whewe it is only Saturday evening and I am already tired out from the weekend. Friday night lent itself to a great evening of golf with Hubby, the kiddos and my parents. The kids did a great job at tending to the pin and enjoyed running around and cheering us on. They may finally be learning to stay out of the way when we go to swing a club! Today I ran a 5K. I did not train for this I was actually trying to decide to register for the walk or run when I walked up to the table today but I thought oh what the heck lets go for it. Luckily it was a fairly flat course and it was cooler. Humid but no sun. I made lets leave it at that. I ran it in less time than my ages which is not something I am proud of. I think I might actually try to run a few nights a week and run another in September. This one includes some beach running so that might be interesting. The kids got pulled by my parents who walked in the 5K. Needless to say they brought up the rear but my dad got the only trophy for the group. 5K overall male winner. Did I mention he was the only male in the walk. Oh well we topped off the morning with donuts. I wonder what Sunday will hold?

Toddlers and Tiaras

Ok, I was up the other night after the kiddos went to bed watching a little tv which did not include a cartoon and on TLC there was a show Toddlers and Tiaras. I thought ok lets check this out. What a train wreck! It was like oh my goodness I should not be watching this. These mothers are how can I put this nicely? Absolutely NUTS! It was so bad I got sucked in and watched until 11:00 PM which is past my bedtime. After watching a 4 four old get false eyelashes and go to a pageant coach. OK do people really make money doing this. I thought about my 3 1/2 year old daughter and if I would ever do anything like this. I can not justify what they were doing. I was awful. I k now I am passing judgement on other moms who think this is perfectly fine but in my world to play dress up and have a tea party is one thing but to parade around on stage in a authentic showgirl outfit at 4 is another. Sorry to any moms who's daughters participate in pageants but its not for us. If you want to know you are certifiably nuts watch Toddlers and Tiaras on Wed night on TLC at 10:00 PM You will be disappointed in parenting in America !